Two landmarks stick out in the Auckland skyline: the Sky Tower, of course, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, and Rangitoto, quite possibly the world's most photogenic inactive volcano.
On a sunny day, I can see both from my neighborhood. The kids can see them all day, every day from their school campus. Shane's downtown office has a clear view and, being adjacent to the Sky Tower, a front-row seat to crazy people bungee-jumping off the building.
They're a bit of an odd couple -- the sleek, tall, steel-and-concrete tower and the organically symmetric, horizontal island -- but they look good together. And while I have more of a romantic connection with the Sky Tower (I legitimately LOVE this thing, mostly because it keeps me from getting lost when I'm driving around the city :), Rangitoto seems like an old loyal friend, always there, waiting in the background, ready to help.
The island's claim to fame is that it's the youngest volcano in New Zealand, "emerging from the sea just 600 years ago." Its beautifully symmetrical cone reaches 850 feet high and is covered with more than 200 species of flowers and trees, including orchids and the largest pohutukawa (the NZ Christmas tree) forest in the world.
While we haven't yet been to Rangitoto -- visitors can hop a ferry and spend the day tramping through this wild place -- I've definitely appreciated the beauty from afar. He's shown up in pictures I've taken in the middle of the Waitakere Ranges, at beaches up and down the shoreline and from other volcanic summits. In fact, he's in a LOT of my pictures of Auckland.
So today I thought I would share my favorite snaps of Rangitoto, an Auckland icon, and -- let's face it -- a bit of a camera hog ;)
Rangitoto and the Donut Float, taken at Cheltenham Beach, Devonport
Rangitoto and the Waitangi Day "Bombers," taken at Murrays Bay
Rangitoto and the Mushroom Field, taken at sunset at Mount Victoria
Rangitoto and The City, taken at the summit of One Tree Hill
Rangitoto and the Lava Rocks, taken at Takapuna Beach
Rangitoto and the Ruins of a Sandcastle Village, taken at Cheltenham Beach
Rangitoto and the Bush, taken in the Waitakere Ranges
Rangitoto and Some Random People, taken at Mission Bay
Rangitoto and Me, and the Sky Tower: A Love Triangle. Taken at Mount Eden
Rangitoto and the Sheep Farm, taken at Shakespear Park
Rangitoto and the Seashell, taken at St. Heliers Bay
Rangitoto and the Elusive Shipping Container, taken at Takapuna
Rangitoto and the School with the Best Views, taken at the School with the Best Views
